review by Stephanie K.
2001: A Space Odyssey 1968
Watched Jun 01, 2012
Stephanie K.’s review:
I am so angry with myself that it took me so long to get around to watching this movie. This movie is so incredible that I feel like my entire standard for judging movies has to be reevaluated. Without question, Stanley Kubrick has to be the most talented director in cinema’s history. Kubrick is not only innovative with his directing, he can tell a story in a way that is so captivating. “2001: A Space Odessey” was made in 1968; that absolutely blows my mind! Can you imagine what people were saying when they left the theater almost 50 years ago? Modern films use fancy directing and special effects so audiences have become jaded and unimpressed with directors’ choices. Kubrick’s original audience couldn’t have felt jaded because this is the first movie of its kind. Kubrick was so inventive, original, and has completely transformed what a movie could be through this film.
There was literally nothing I didn’t love about this film. The beginning of the film shows The Dawn of Man which is absolutely brilliant. Kubrick shows the prehistoric man discovering tools and weapons. This is such an incredible choice because it’s completely juxtaposed with the rest of the film showing how much our species has developed, not only biologically, but with technologically as well. The choreography of these ape-like people is so authentic, one forgets they’re actually actors in costumes. I could probably write a 100 page dissertation on how this was the best movie ever created, but I’m sure you’ve all seen it and already know.
Every shot was more beautiful than the previous. There were so many scenes where I thought, “this would have been incredible to see on the big screen.” If I ever find it playing somewhere I must go. If you’re a film lover and you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend it!
As a side note, while watching this film I thought I should create a list of movies that would have been better if Kubrick directed them. I then realized this would be an impossible list because every movie could have benefited if Kubrick was the director. I wish he was still around today to produce masterpieces like this...
It's not my all time favorite(That would be Pulp Fiction) but I think this is the greatest film ever made! This was made 15 years before I was born and it still seems fresh. Kubrick is the master indeed!!!!
Fantastic review and of course I agree 100% particularly that last paragraph...made me a little sad thinking about it actually.
This is my favorite film of all time and your review gives it justice. Thank you for expressing the love!
Stephanie, I like your review. It might be too soon for you, but a group of us will be watching it again on Hal's birthday. See this list: Hal’s Birthday – watch 2001 on Sat Jan 12 2013
Sounds fun, Lise. I'm in!
Great review Stephanie! I was one of those people who saw it 45 years ago on a Cinerama screen in original release. It shaped my view of what film should be.
I find your observation about how the audience of the time reacted interesting. I've thought about writing about this. For the audience of the time, the film was plainly expositional. It showed an ultra realistic view of what it would be like to travel in space to an audience that was already space crazed. The genius, I think, is that Kubrick anticipated that this film would have to live beyond the lunar landing ( a year later ), and beyond 2001. It had to be more. It had to be a masterpiece.